The Presidential Guards Brigade is the only guard of honour and protective security unit brigade of the Nigerian Army (NA) responsible for counterintelligence to prevent assassination or sabotage of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, crowd control in the event of chaos, important ceremonial duties in various ceremonies, protecting the President of Nigeria, public security, and support military operations. The members of the brigade are a group of Nigerian soldiers who guard the residence of the President and his guests, as well as perform ceremonial duties. Also referred to as the Brigade of Guards, this unit, "does not answer to Army Headquarters or to the Chief of Army Staff in any operational matters and its commander is completely integrated into the President's security team.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inspecting the Presidential Guard Brigade during his visit to Abuja in October 2007.
The Brigade of Guards does not answer to Army Headquarters or to the Chief of Army Staff in any operational matters and its commander is completely integrated into the President's security team. The deployment of troops by the Guards to protect the returning President was routine work for the Brigade and did not require any special clearance with Army Headquarters.
The Guards Brigade provides security for the following individuals in the Nigerian presidential line of succession and with relevance to the President:
President of Nigeria
First Lady of Nigeria
Vice President of Nigeria
President of Senate
Speaker House of Representatives
Chief Justice of Nigeria
It works with the Nigeria Police Force in securing any area in the Federal Capital Territory.
Members of the brigade stand at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock and also raise and lower the national flag at ceremonies and parades. The brigade holds a weekly changing of the guard ceremony outside Aso Villa.
It also mounts the guard of honor on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces during national events such as the Armed Forces Day festivities and the national Independence Day Parade. It has also mounted the guard of honor during state arrival ceremonies for foreign dignitaries who undertake state visits to Abuja. Dignitaries who have inspected the brigade while on state visits have included Dmitry Medvedev, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Jacob Zuma. Regular performances also took place at occasions when foreign ambassadors presented their diplomatic credentials to the President, as well as during the official arrival and departure of the State President from various cities, especially those cities in which his official residences were situated.
